Jayawardene scores 54 in last Test innings

Colombo, Aug 17 (IANS) Sri Lankan cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene scored a fine 54 runs in what was his last Test knock at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here Sunday.

Resuming the fourth day of the second and final Test against Pakistan at 49 not out, the 37-year-old added five more runs before being caught off spinner Saeed Ajmal. The former Sri Lanka captain's innings lasted 137 balls and included eight boundaries.

The right hander received a standing ovation as he made his way back to the pavilion with the Pakistani fielders applauding. Jayawardene raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd's gesture.

Playing his 149th and final Test, Jayawardene finished with 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84 with 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries and a highest score of 374 which he scored here against South Africa in 2006.

Jayawardene earlier retired from Twenty20 Internationals after Sri Lanka won the World T20 title defeating India in April in Bangladesh.

Already leading the series 1-0, the hosts were well on their way to victory in the second Test as Pakistan were tottering at 127/7 while chasing a target of 271 with a day's play remaining.